I was just ready to pull the trigger and go for the DBA-02 mkII and now I saw the review of the GR01. The GR01 looks just so beautiful and lovely (like something I always thought etymotic should have done a long time ago) and I'm torn between the bass punch and the better resolution and transparency of the DBA-02 and the better looks and smoother sound of the GR01. I've never been superficial but I'm starting to think the looks will win this time.

I was just ready to pull the trigger and go for the DBA-02 mkII and now I saw the review of the GR01. The GR01 looks just so beautiful and lovely (like something I always thought etymotic should have done a long time ago) and I'm torn between the bass punch and the better resolution and transparency of the DBA-02 and the better looks and smoother sound of the GR01. I've never been superficial but I'm starting to think the looks will win this time.

You might want to checkout the Rockit Sounds thread and read mine and Jupiterknights reviews on the R-50. From the way joker describes the GR01 its almost the same as I hear the R-50 and its only $119.99 shipped. I'm listening to them right now through my J3 and they sound amazing for how much they cost, easily punching above they're price point. So far I've had very good customer service from Rocky at Rockit Sounds and I received my order in 4 days from Hong Kong to Dallas and thats with free shipping.

So I feel its worth taking a look at even though not many people know about them as they are a very new company out of Cali (but the IEM's ship from Hong Kong).

GR01, very pleasant and inoffensive. Nice resolution for the class and decent clarity, better than typical DDs at the price. Decent PRaT but compressed dynamic range makes its really unengaging for me over the long haul. While the phone sounds nice I can't shake the elevator music feeling of the tracks just being a background experience. Toms feel too mushy and soft, must be the lower mid/upper bass 'laid back' character you mentioned.

DBA mkII, tonally half way between the B2 and GR01. This is for those that want the B2/DBA sig but thought it was too treble tipped and need a bit of a rounder, softer midbass. with the same impact. More clarity than the GR01 but behind the B2.

B2, stunning clarity and transparency for the money. Still one of the best in this area I've heard. Tighter midbass makes it seem a bit lighter but extension is the same between B2 and DBA mkII. The amazing clarity just does wonders for making instruments and vocal holographic and real. Still an amazing phone to me if transparency is your thing.

UERM, tonally between the DBA mkII and B2 which is just about as neutral as you can get. Doesn't have the bell like quality of the B2 but overall sounds more natural, better note weight, bass extension, fuller sound and dynamic range of the bunch. Detail everywhere, resolves instruments the other phones didn't know were there. Layers of sound. Precise imaging and space.

can you explain a bit more about QC issue? Is it common issue for IEM for only for the cc51?

QC issue meaning it is a defective unit. I've never heard of a problem like that so I'm guessing it's not common.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dustdevil

How about the etymotic hf5 then? Can their mids compete with the westone 1's?

Sure can, unless you like the warm tone of the W1 (which the HF5 doesn't share)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xinn3r

Joker, how does EPH-100 timbre compare to FXT90?

And both above compared to GR07

I never got to compare the EPH-100 to the FXT90 but I think all three are very close. If I had to I'd give the nod to the FXT90 but you won't have trouble telling instruments apart with any of these.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kova4a

I was just ready to pull the trigger and go for the DBA-02 mkII and now I saw the review of the GR01. The GR01 looks just so beautiful and lovely (like something I always thought etymotic should have done a long time ago) and I'm torn between the bass punch and the better resolution and transparency of the DBA-02 and the better looks and smoother sound of the GR01. I've never been superficial but I'm starting to think the looks will win this time.

How will the Atrio M5 (with MG7 Driver ) compares with the VSonic GR06/GR07 and Sony MDR-EX600 in terms of the bass department without compromising mids and highs.
Also will any of the IEM's above result in a significant upgrade to the V-Moda M-80 headphones i have right now